Follow the call, and you will bring out your best

November 30, Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle
Daily Readings: First reading: Romans 10:9–18; Gospel: Matthew 4:18–22

We hear from Paul’s letter to the Romans: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news?" That’s what St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, did.

We see what happened to the beautiful feet of that fisherman. As a fisherman, there was only one thing to do, day after day: go fishing. After he was called, he had only one thing to do: spread the good news of the One who told him to shift from fishing to spreading the good news.

That’s the same reason he was crucified, too. That’s the same reason why Scotland, Russia, and Ukraine acclaimed him as their patron saint. That’s the same reason we celebrate his memory today.

To hear the call, we had to be tuned in to listen. The fact that Andrew heard the Master’s calling while he was busy fishing was a sign that he had the inner disposition of a listener even while working.

Jesus was somehow aware of what was going on inside Andrew. It’s said that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the disciple is ready, the master walks in.

The ease and the immediate following give us a clue that although it appears as a hurried, quick act of leaving the net and following, the law of invisible attraction was happening at the seashore between the Master and the one called.

Had he said ‘no’ to the call, he would have lived and died a fisherman’s life. Since he listened to the call, the world has had the opportunity to see the best of Andrew.

Follow the inner call, and you will come to know how beautiful your ordinary feet are!